Gas cock



sept. 25, 1934.

GAS" cocx Filed June 9. 1952 @EMM Adjacent its upper end, the stem 18 isprovided with a threaded opening, indicated at 29, which receives thesecuring screw 30 for securing a suitable handle 31 thereto. The handle31 is formed of bakelite, or a similar molded condensation product, andhas the extending boss portion 32. This projecting boss 32 ts over theupper end of the valve stern 18, and is provided with an opening 33 forreceiving the screw 30 to secure the gas cock handle to the stem 18.

At its upper end, the valve stern 18 is grooved, as indicated at 34, toreceive the key member 35 carried by the handle 31. This key member 35,as shown in detail in Figure 6, is preferably formed of metal and may bestamped to the desired form. The key member 35 is provided With acut-out portion 36 which engages inthe groove 34 formed in the valvestem. The ear portions 3'7 of the key 35 are spaced apart a distanceequal to the diameter of the stem 18, and engage the lateral surface ofthe stem. The key 35 is embedded in the handle 31 at the upper end ofthe boss portion 32, as shown in detail in Figure 3', and is securelyheld therein as by molding it in place in the handle. This key serves tolock the handle 3l to the valve stem 18 for cooperating rotativemovement, and distributes the stress occasioned in the handle 31 when itis desired to rotate the valve stem, which would be present if the keyWere not provided, since the key distributes this stress along theportion of the key which isl embedded in the handle. In this manner,rotation of the handle to operate the valve stem 18 Will not producegreat unit stress in the handle, and therefore the handle can be made ofless dimension, While still retaining its strength.

In Figures 4, 5 and 7, I have disclosed a modied form of lockingengagement between the valve stem and the handle. The handle 31 of'Figure 4 is adapted to receive a pin member 40", shown in detail inFigure 7, Which is carried by a projecting portion 41 of the handle 31',which portion 4l is disposed centrallyV of the opening formed in theboss 32 which receives the stem 18' of the valve.

CBSS.

As shown in Figure 5, the screw 30 serves to position the handle 31 uponthe stem 1'8", and the stem isrgrooved, as at 42, for receiving the pin40 carried by the projecting portion 41 of thehandle, and Which servestodistribute the stress ordinarily present upon rotation of the handleto turn the stem 18.

Itis thus apparent that I have provided a novel manner of securing amolded handle to the operating stem` of ai gas vcock or similar device',which handle is adapted vto rotatel they stem. Becausev of thedistribution and consequent reduction of The ends of the pin 40 arefirmly embedded in the handle adjacent the re the handle may be made invarious forms, and need not be of the rectangular configuration shown inthe preferred embodiment of the invention. Further, certain decorativeeffects may be produced by varying the configuration of the handle,Without departing from the scope of the invention.

I do not intend to be limited to the exact details shown and describedin connection With the illustrated embodiment of the invention, but onlyinsofar as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1; In combination, a rotatable valve stem having a groove extendingacross and opening from one end of the stem, a handle formed of a moldedcondensation product having an integral hub tting over the end of saidstem, handle portions projecting radially from said hub, said handlehaving a groove disposed in the body of the handle and extending intosaid projecting handle portions and across the end of the stem when thehandle isv in position on the stem, a metal key member engaging in thegroove in the body vof' the handle and having a cut-out portion engagingin the groove in the end of the stem-and forming abutments forengagement with the op posite peripheral sides of the stem below theopposite endsl of the groove therein, *the opposite ends of said keymember projecting laterally' from the stem and being embedded in theYprojecting handle portion, and means disposed beneath said key memberand engaging in said stern for maintaining said key member in engage--ment Within said groove. Y

2. In combination, a molded handle comprising a cylindrical socketportion and a pair of integral handle portions projecting radiallytherefrom, a metal key member disposed within the baseiof said socketportionv and extending diametrically thereacross, the ends of Vsaidmember being embedded in said handle portions, said member be'- ingentirely disposed within said handle and nonremovable therefrom, and arotatable stem adapted to be engaged by said socket portion and having adiametrical groove across the engaged end thereof, said key memberhaving a cut-away portion engaging insaid groove and' havingnormallyextending abutment portions engaging the surface of said stem at eachside of and belowl the axialV extent of said groove.

3. A metal key member' adapted for use with a rotatable stem having adiametrical grooveof constant depth therein and a handle member' havinga socket receiving said stem, comprising a; planar member havingextending end portions adapted to be embedded in Saidhandle', a cutawaycentral portion of constant section adapted: to engage in the groove insaidv stern, andv outwardly projecting abutment portions at each end ofsaid cut-away portion extending normalth'ere-` to and adaptedl to^engage the Yperipheral surface of said stem below the axial extentv ofsaid groove-.

l @SCARy J. LEINs.

